“Deaf People Can Do Anything…Except Hear!”
How many of us have heard this quote? Indeed, it is probably one of the more popular “rallying cries” of the Deaf Community.
But how many of us truly believe it…and practice it?
Of course, we all want to say that we do indeed believe in and practice this concept; but in reality, most of us rarely do achieve our true potential. Many of us, whether we want to admit it or not, do have this tendency at times to say “nope, nope…that can’t be done!” Many of us do set up limitations in our minds that tell us we can’t do this or can’t do that.
But what if we really challenged ourselves…if we were given an opportunity to test those limits and see what we truly are capable of doing?
When I did my first firewalk a few years ago, I was challenged to test my own beliefs about what I can truly do – I was forced to have to think about my own attitudes, and my own limitations that I myself had created in my own mind. It was truly an eye-opening experience, and I learned a lot about myself in the process.
How many of us have heard the word “can’t” in our lives…all because we happen to be Deaf? I have heard many “can’t” stories in my lifetime, and I’m sure most of you have also. Can’t is a word that many of us have experienced…and struggled to remove from our own vocabularies.
But doing so isn’t always easy – it requires learning to believe in ourselves and in our true potential…it requires stripping away at our own self-imposed limitations, and embracing those challenging situations that can help us grow.
That’s what walking the fire is all about…learning to accept and embrace those challenging situations and use them as an opportunity for self-growth; a chance to achieve our goals of increasing our own personal power.
When we stand at the firebed and face those glowing red coals, we learn to control our focus and our thoughts. When we step on those coals and walk across that firebed to the other end, we learn to address our fears and to see how it is possible to overcome our own limitations.
In short, we learn how to eliminate the T from the word can’t. C-A-N-‘T. Remove the T and what is left???
To paraphrase the quote:
“Deaf People CAN Do Anything…IF They Make a Decision to Do So!”
“Hmmm…you make some pretty good points here, and I think I am beginning to understand a little better. But still – geez! I mean, I’m visualizing trying to put my bare foot on those red-hot coals…OUCH!”
Okay, that’s fine. I do understand – at my very first firewalk, I probably stood and stared at that damn firebed for nearly half an hour, trying to summon up the courage.
But at least you’re thinking about it. C’mon, let’s keep talking and see if I can explain it further.
On to the next blog!
continued on the next blog,“What the Bleep About Firewalking???”
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
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